A photo of Karoline Leavitt suddenly disappeared from major photo libraries after it reportedly upset people inside the White House, sparking a media controversy.
The image was taken during a Thanksgiving event at the White House in November 2025, where Leavitt appeared with her young son and a turkey ahead of the traditional presidential turkey pardon.
The issue was the angle of the photo. Reports said the image was considered unflattering, and soon after, it was removed from major photo databases like AFP and Getty Images.
Photo agency AFP later said the removal was an editorial decision, claiming the image did not meet their standards and that better photos from the same event were available. However, they also confirmed they were aware the White House was unhappy with the photo.
The situation quickly went viral online, with many people sharing the image and accusing the administration of trying to control how officials are portrayed in the media.
Some critics even called it the “Streisand effect,” where trying to hide something only makes more people see it.
The incident also comes amid ongoing tension between the White House and the media, especially over press access, photography rules, and coverage of officials.
In the end, the photo that was meant to disappear ended up getting far more attention than it ever would have otherwise.
